Korean Officials: "Detained Koreans Expected to Board Charter Flight Home on the 10th"

Korean Workers Detained in Georgia to Return Home Soon
Consular Support Underway as Charter Flight Arrangements Progress
US Authorities Emphasize Crackdown on Illegal Employment and Unfair Competition

Korean workers detained at an immigration facility in Georgia, United States, are expected to board a chartered flight to Korea as early as September 10 (local time).

Immigration Enforcement Scene of Hyundai Motor Company and LG Energy Solution Released by U.S. Immigration Authorities. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Cho Kijung, Consul General in Washington, who is overseeing consular support for the detained Korean nationals, stated on September 7 at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Folkston, Georgia, regarding their return date, "We are considering Wednesday (the 10th) as the likely date."

The government-arranged chartered flight is expected to depart from Jacksonville International Airport in Florida, which is about a 50-minute drive from the Folkston detention facility. Consul General Cho explained, "After technical consultations regarding the operation of the chartered flight, it was determined that Jacksonville Airport is the closest airport."

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including those affiliated with the Consulate General in Atlanta and other Korean diplomatic missions in the U.S., conducted interviews with detained employees at the Folkston ICE facility both the previous day and on this day. Female employees are reportedly being held in a separate women-only detention facility. Consul General Cho stated, "The initial round of consular interviews has been completed," and added, "We expect to finish interviews at the women's detention facility as well, likely by the end of today."

Regarding the condition of the detained employees, Consul General Cho said, "I saw them all together in the dining area, and everyone seems to be doing well," but added, "It is not as comfortable as being at home." He continued, "We are doing our utmost to send those who wish to return to Korea as quickly as possible," emphasizing, "We must go through the process of confirming individual intentions. We will proceed as quickly as possible so that those who wish to return can do so promptly." Previously, the Presidential Office announced that negotiations for release had concluded, stating, "Once the administrative procedures are completed, the chartered flight will depart to bring our citizens home."

On September 4, U.S. immigration authorities conducted an immigration enforcement operation at the construction site of the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, arresting and detaining 475 people, including more than 300 Koreans. In relation to this, Tom Homan, the former head of border security under the Donald Trump administration (commonly known as the "border czar"), was asked if similar large-scale operations would occur again and replied, "In short, yes." He stated that employing foreign nationals who have entered or are staying illegally without proper visas constitutes a crime, adding, "We will conduct many more on-site enforcement actions." He also emphasized that companies hiring undocumented foreign workers at low wages are unfairly reducing costs and undermining competition.